Legal Secretary - Corporate

Summary

A corporate legal secretary assists lawyers and other legal personnel with regard to various administrative details; coordinates and maintains effective office procedures and efficient work flow; follows policy and procedures set by the Firm; establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with all personnel, clients, vendors and guests of the Firm.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Types, formats, edits and finalizes documents, including correspondence, memoranda and standard legal documents for both transactional and litigation clients, in accordance with the Firm's document formatting standards using standard computer software specific to the legal industry.
• Manages multiple lawyer-assignments and organizes clerical functions and work flow to meet administrative and client needs.
• Manages the onboarding of new clients from the processing of conflicts to the assignment of billing information. Works with various Firm departments and resources to complete engagement processes in an expedited and accurate manner.
• Enters, proofreads and posts lawyers' time entries. Works to ensure time entries are in compliance with client billing requirements and to ensure timeliness of entries in compliance with Firm policy.
• Coordinates travel arrangements, including air, hotel and ground transportation for lawyers and clients. Processes lawyers' travel expenses.
• Proofreads all documents, correspondence, etc., to ensure accuracy of copy, grammar, punctuation and syntax. Checks to ensure accuracy of jobs sent to duplicating service.
• Receives, screens telephone calls, conference calls and messages to lawyers, clients and staff (as directed from assignments). Works with various audio and video software to calendar and create calls on behalf of assignments.
• Coordinates the prompt production, processing and delivery of assignments' work products through the document processing center, duplicating, messenger and telecommunication services.
• Coordinates client billing with billing services, as needed.
• Obtains cases from the library and makes copies, as requested.
• Maintains a safe and unobstructed work area, including a neat and well-organized desk. Demonstrates safe work practices.
• Maintains all client files on a daily basis in accordance with standards set by Records Management Center. Maintains other files, as needed.
• Performs a variety of secretarial functions, including transcribing dictation, processing new client/matter and expense reports, preparing notebooks and exhibits, etc.
• Performs other work related duties as assigned or as judgment or necessity dictates.

• California Applicants: Salaries may vary by location. In Southern California, the estimated target salary range of this role is $106,000  – $119,000, in addition to bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefit package. Salary determinations are made based on numerous factors, such as, but not limited to, the relevant market and the skill, experience, class or graduation year, and education of the selected candidate.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below.  The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources). 

Education and/or Experience: 

Required:

• Legal experience in Corporate and Finance practice area
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); three or more years of related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), legal terminology and formats (legal documents)
• Thorough working knowledge of other applications (iManage, Adobe, DTE, Chrome River)

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Types accurately at 60 wpm

Other Skills and Abilities:

In addition to the above, the following may also be required of the successful candidate:Excellent organizational skills:

• Excellent attention to detail
• The use of good judgment and good interpersonal communication skills
• Well developed analytical and problem solving skills
• Works harmoniously and effectively with others as part of a team
• A self-starter who desires to show ownership and commitment to the job
• Exercises confidentiality and discretion
• Proofreads accurately

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer